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Reviews
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
Classic Action
Story - 2/10 pros/cons: absurd concept and story, but that's part of the charm of this action romp.
Cast - 8/10 pros: Hall and Henry lead a charismatic cast that help push the scenes between the amazing action. Stevens provides some fun lighthearted comic relief to the over dramatized stakes of the movie. Cons: characters are pretty generically written.
Direction - 7.5/10 pros: Wingard creates some lavish action sequences and overall creates a fun light airy tone to the film, taking some creative inspiration from the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Cons: the story was the least important part of this movie, but Wingard really tried to push the story and the total run time was probably 20 minutes too long because of this.
Pace - 6/10 pros: the movie moves between action sequences at a strong pace. Again the fights and action are the true star of this movie. Cons: there are a few too many unnecessary character development stories interwoven between the fights.
Atmosphere - 8/10 pros: the world is fun. The action is amazing. The special effects are pretty stunning. Cons: the main strength of the film was the atmosphere, which is a strength for the atmosphere but a negative for an overall movie and story.
Overall Score 6 out of 10, very fun movie and would recommend but not a classic or quite up to the previous movies in this franchise.
The King of Staten Island (2020)
7 out of 10, Worth the Rental Price But Not A Classic
Story - 8/10 pros: Apatow actually manages to derive quite a lot of heart out of this "semi" autobiographical story of Pete Davidson. It's a little more raw than most of Apatow's movie, which worked in grounding the goofball stylings of Davidson, who is actually quite competent in some of the more serious moments of this film. It's definitely interesting to learn a little backstory on Davidson, and understand him a bit more. cons: it's definitely not a laugh fest, in fact it is probably one of Apatow's least funny movies.
Cast - 7/10 pros: Davidson is surprisingly good in this. I've always felt he was the type of comedian that tried just a little too hard, but Apatow definitely reigned him in and he provided some surprisingly touching moments in this film. Tomei continuing to embrace the second half of her career does well in the mom role, and Bill Burr turns from actor that "you know his face" into an actor that deserves you to know him by name as well.
cons: there's some nepotism with Maude Apatow playing Davidson's sister.
Direction - 7.5/10 pros: This is probably Apatow's best work as a director. It almost appears as though he takes a step back as this film in a lot of ways feels more like a first time director lower budget indie movie type thing, but that more raw authentic feel to this movie goes a long way in grounding such a huge personality like Davidson. Apatow is unafraid to linger in a moment or extend a beat to make it feel real, maybe something in the past he has shied away from going for the quick entertainment instead.
cons: maybe I was expecting a little more comedy and was surprised by what the movie actually was, not sure that's a negative just more of a preconception that took me a second to get used to.
Pace - 7/10 pros: the movie is rather long, but never felt like it was plodding along. Apatow extends moments and really grounds the movie into a very powerful truth that seemed real and authentic. For normally such a comedic duo (Apatow/Davidson) you might expect fast paced jokes stacked on top of each other, but instead Apatow takes his time and lets moments and environments live out and thereby creates a very believable and heartfelt world.
cons: it is a long movie coming in at 2 hours and 16 minutes, but for the most part earns that time or the story needed it.
Atmosphere - 7/10 pros: everything felt incredibly authentic and genuine to this movie. You totally believed the small town feel and people that lived in it. The camera work was simple but appropriate and allowed performances to come to life. The sets, costumes, and decor all seemed perfectly authentic and in place and helped ground the world.
cons: the world felt a little small, but that is also what the story called for and needed.
Overall 7 out of 10, worth the rental price but not an all time classic rewatch.
The VVitch: A New-England Folktale (2015)
Creepy World / Ok Story 7/10
Story - 5/10 pros: it's an interesting concept and a nice setup for a horror movie. Wonderful time period to explore the seclusion and danger of religion. It just moved way too slow for me. cons: The filmmakers capture a wonderful eerie feel to this film, but rely to heavily on it to continue the audience through a slightly uneventful tale.
Cast - 10/10 pros: Anya Taylor-Joy is mesmerizing. Without her I think this film could have fallen apart. Ineson and Dickie provide some truly disturbing performances along side her. cons: nothing to list here, this is one of the major strengths of this film
Direction - 8/10 pros: Eggers captures an unbelievable feel of despair and solitaire, reminiscence to Kubrick's work in the Shining. He is not afraid to take his time to create this sense of feeling. cons: possible he relied on superior filmmaking and didn't focus on story as much.
Pace - 6/10 pros/cons: this is a tough one so listing pros and cons together here. This is a slow moving movie, a very slow moving movie, it can be tough to sit through, but at the same time that is one of it's major strengths; it's ability to make the audience squirm.
Atmosphere - 10/10 pros: the remote farm looks beautiful. the soft hazy overcast days provide a perfect look for a tale that is just as scary in daylight as it is in the dead of night. This is the brilliance of this film, every day life is just as horrifying as a monster in the woods. The look of this film is top notch. Every shot appears perfectly planned. The costumes blend into the desolate gray of the rest of the world and provide a perfect topper to the sadness of this life. The makeup and blood work is truly disturbing. cons: again the atmosphere and cast are truly special in this film.
Overall 7/10 this could have been an all-time classic but story lacked just a bit, still a very great film.
Captain Fantastic (2016)
10/10 An Instant Classic
Story - 9/10 pros: this is a very touching story of a father doing his best to raise his children as he sees best (albeit not a way the average american might agree with). It's a really touching family tell that dives into the complexities of love and protecting the ones you love. cons: there's not a lot to dislike here. it's one of the better stories I've seen in a while. Maybe it forces a hipster forest feel just a little at times.
Cast - 10/10 pros: The ensemble cast is perfection but George MacKay is the the true standout. Viggo Mortensen is wonderful as the struggling father trying to keep his family together, but MacKay continually steals scene after scene. But yes the entire cast is brilliant; there is even a wonderful cameo of sorts from Kathryn Hahn and Steve Zahn (weird that their last names are so close) that they are brilliant in as well.
cons: no cons, here, cast is the star of the show. Maybe there's some believability factor here because the entire family is very good looking and perfectly hipstered groomed for a family living in the forest on their own.
Direction - 9/10 pros: Writer/Director Matt Ross brilliantly weaves this touching family story together. He develops every character. Out of a family of 7 with 6 kids, he manages to make each character feel separate and distinct and always with purpose. He brilliantly walks the line between eccentric comedy and heartfelt drama without hesitation.
cons: again maybe he pushes a hipster feel into this family for comedic relief that can feel a bit forced.
Pace - 9/10 pros: the movie checks in at just under two hours, but never feels slow or like a scene is wasted. Again with a family of seven, Ross uses every minute of this film to develop the characters, eccentricities, and insecurities of these family members. It takes it times and makes the audience fall in love with this unusual family.
cons: maybe some of the flashbacks to the mom seemed a little forced? again don't have too many cons for this movie.
Atmosphere - 10/10 pros: the tone and atmosphere the filmmakers create is top notch. The costumes provide a fun sense of quirk and color to the film. The photography is very beautiful and helps accent some truly brilliant performances by the ensemble cast while always providing a clear geography with often very full cast oriented scenes. The music slides by in the background, and delivers one of the most powerful moments of the movie when the family celebrates a fond farewell to their mother; this scene is the personification of the movie and if it doesn't make you cry or feel happy or sad or some sort of strong emotion, then something is wrong with you.
cons: loved the atmosphere of this movie.
Overall Score 10 out of 10, an instant classic
Becky (2020)
Fun to see Kevin James but that's about it 5/10
Story - 3/10
pros: this type of genre is always watchable at least as background noise. some strong one liners that are bad in the good type of way.
cons: there's really nothing original or interesting to the story, sans the casting, and no effort to build much layer to pretty generic characters.
Cast - 8/10
pros: Kevin James and Joel McHale are really the only thing interesting about this one. Although the story leaves much to be desired, seeing James and McHale go against type is worth the price of admission.
cons: maybe it's hard to take James and McHale totally seriously, but still worth it. Every character is very one layered.
Direction - 6/10
pros: Milott does create a good sense of doom and tension at times, and does manage to create some good performances from James and Wilson. There's some good choreographed action and ultra violent sequences that are thoroughly entertaining.
cons: the script really didn't give him much to work with, and once the gimic of seeing James in such an intense role wears off you aren't left with too many interesting twists and turns. And the geography can be a little disorienting.
Pace - 5/10
pros: the story proceeds at a very fast brisk hour and half pace so it doesn't waste much time
cons: despite it's fast run time, there's just not much to even fill the brisk hour and half, and the pace doesn't leave too much time for buidling too much suspense or too much danger.
Atmosphere - 7/10
pros: there's decent production value here. the filmmakers did a decent job with the script they were given. the blood and makeup were fun and the ultraviolence creates a fun environment. the limited locations showcased well and the camera did add a nice dimension to a Kevin James we are not used to seeing. The music over reaches at times, again maybe trying to make up for tension that should have been in the script but wasn't there.
cons: limited locations/scope while still being a little disorienting at times.
Overall Score 5 out of 10, enjoyable enough watch, but just not much originality to this script. would recommend but be prepared to check your phone every now and then and let it play in the background.
Looks That Kill (2020)
Overall Score 7 out of 10, very enjoyable watch and would recommend but not a classic.
Story - 8/10
pros: interesting concept, witty dialogue, and fun characters for the most part.
cons: it's an unusual concept but falls into some YA genre related cliches briefly.
Cast - 8/10
pros: Flynn and Telles share a clear chemistry on set. It's easy to fall in love with them as a couple. Telles in particular exudes charisma and charm, while providing some strong subtly during the more dramatic moments of her journey. Scolari and Mumolo provide nice comic relief as bickering parents dealing with a son that continually accidentally kills people in their small town.
cons: some of the side characters feel a little under developed.
Direction - 7.5/10
pros: Moore creates an unusual world with a lot of originality. He garners very strong performances from his two leads and orchestrates a couple very dynamic sequences, namely toward the end of the film.
cons: feels like at times there is some hesitation from the first time director to commit to a joke, but then at other times maybe he doesn't show enough restraint.
Pace - 6/10
pros: the story proceeds at a very fast easy viewing pace, you never check your watch to see how much time is left.
cons: maybe it moves too fast at certain times. Seems like some characters or moments got glossed over or rushed through. not sure if that is a script issue or the filmmakers didn't always accomplish what they wanted but taking points off here.
Atmosphere - 8/10
pros: the world is pretty fun. the sets and decor have a great sense of whimsicality to them but at the same time feel genuine to the world they are in. The costumes accent the sets while sharing in that "Blegh" blahnes humor of the world. The camera work and framing seems to always have a purpose and interesting look to them while adding to the joke or emotion of the moment. The musical score slides by in the background creating a fun feel while also stepping up to hammer down an emotion in the more dramatic moments of the story.
cons: a couple locations didn't seem to serve much purpose in the story
Overall Score 7 out of 10, very enjoyable watch and would recommend but not a classic.